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RMOTHG Trip – IPW - Brainard Lake Rec Area - Mitchell Lake TH - Blue Lake

Trip

RMOTHG Trip – IPW - Brainard Lake Rec Area - Mitchell Lake TH - Blue Lake

Blue Lake is a scenic, above treeline lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Along the way we will pass Mitchell Lake in addition to some scenic creeks, ponds and krummholz. At the top we will have a pretty lakeside view of Mount Toll towering above us!!! We will continue a little further than the "regular stopping place" and hike around the lake to a pretty meadow area (0.25 miles further). The trail is rocky, rooty and we will be "high stepping" the majority of the trail. Please read my Leader's Notes below!!!

Contacts

Jeanne Eiss
Jeanne Eiss
Primary Leader
Frank Burzynski
Frank Burzynski
Co-Leader
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 5.25 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 930 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 11,370 ft
  • Pace: Casual

I do consider the difficulty of this hike as "moderate" for our group even though technically  it has a difficulty rating of "easy".  I feel this way because of the high elevation and constant "high stepping", please take this into consideration when assessing your fitness level.

Disclaimer ... This hike will only happen if the weather is good AND there is no smoke!!!  I will only be able to determine the smoke level the evening before. 

Please note:  This hike is 0.5 miles longer than a "normal" Blue Lake Hike.

This will be a casual paced hike somewhat on the faster end of casual!!!  This is a fairly busy trail and I will keep the group together at all times so that we can all move over at once to let others pass us.  Since we have such an early start, I believe we will have the trail mostly to ourselves on the way up.   

During my scout on August 5th, the area was still quite green.  And, we did see some moose.  The fireweed and arctic gentian were very pretty and fresh looking.  Unfortunately, most of the other wildflowers are faded. 

We will only be taking 3 cars and a maximum of 12 people.

I do not expect to be back in Golden until around 3:00PMish.

Do not hesitate to contact me via email or text with any questions you may have :) :) :)

 

304 10th Street, Golden ... 5:50AM meeting time, 6:00AM departure

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xwtBa9SbLHTQuWS46

If you live further north and there is enough interest, I may be able to form northern carpools.

If you would like to meet us at the Brainard Lake Gateway (aka winter lot) that is another option.  

Roster
Route/Place

IPW - Brainard Lake Rec Area - Mitchell Lake Trailhead

Required Equipment

Required Equipment

N95 mask (in case unexpected smoke rolls in), bug repellant, at least 2 liters of water, snacks, lunch, sun protection, rain gear, first aid kits, the rest of the 10 essentials.

If you are not a RMOTHG Member, consider joining us ;) ;) ;)  It's only $15/year to join!!! Please contact the office at 303-279-3080 ext. 3 or office@cmc.org to join!

https://www.cmc.org/community/special-interest-sections/rocky-mountain-over-the-hill-gang

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